caulfield12

http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/16/politics/tru...ysis/index.html Why the latest WH crisis is a really big deal https://www.yahoo.com/news/despite-campaign...-021700858.html Despite campaign boasts, Trump has no idea how to handle classified material Hot take: Trump will be pretty forcefully asked to resign by GOP leaders within the next 3-4 months...if he refuses or is eventually impeached, the GOP will be split in two and won't be able to successfully contest another national election until 2022 or 2024. June, July and August in the D.C. heat will slowly drive him crazy, and most of his time will be spent hiding out at Trump properties worldwide. Best case scenario, he goes peacefully, Pence is at least able to seem presidential but the party is still crushed in 2018 midterms and 2020. Lasting damage to GOP brand is at least somewhat contained...compared to Nixon trying to hold onto power for 2-3 years before finally quitting.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ May 11, 2017 -> 02:06 PM) Sweden's tax plan is the opposite of Donald Trump's - and it is proving hugely successful On average, all strata of Swedish society are getting richer. Compare that to the low-tax US, where most Americans' incomes have fallen Good thing you didn't quote from the second half of the article...

https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/201...&yptr=yahoo A government economic model suggests that lower tax rates do lift investment spending. The independent OBR has its own model, which reaches similar conclusions, and uses it to adjust its forecasts of business capital spending when policy changes. A one-percentage point cut in the corporation tax rate has in the past been estimated to lift business investment spending by as much as 0.5 percent within 5 years. If that holds true then the planned 11 percentage point cut in corporation tax might create a medium-term boost to business investment of around 5 percent. There will be more machinery, buildings and software available to produce output than before the cuts. Still, even with this impact, cutting corporation tax is not even close to paying for itself. The government estimates that the cost of the cuts would be halved only over the course of a couple of decades. The problem with these assessments is that they assume all else is equal, which it isn't. As others have rightly noted, the impact of corporate tax cuts on the economy depends on where the money to pay for the measure has come from. In the U.K., businesses have been induced to spend more but public investment has been shrinking relative to GDP. And spending on healthcare and education -- investment in human capital -- has been squeezed compared with historical norms. Trump should take note. A lower U.S. corporate rate may encourage companies to invest more there. But if he decides to cut growth-friendly funding to win support for his corporation tax plans, the growth dividend he hopes will help pay for them may never materialize.

Trump's intelligence slip-up may be the straw that breaks the camel's back http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/15/politics/tru...vrov/index.html "On strategy and tactics, most Republican members of Congress will likely give the President a wide berth, but on mistakes or issues that don't appear to be based on some bigger strategy, I think those same members of Congress will begin to speak out," said one senior Republican House member granted anonymity to speak candidly. "The sharing of classified information to the Russians clearly falls into the second bucket. There is a honeymoon period, but on issues like this, if the honeymoon isn't over yet, it will be soon." That sentiment was echoed by a prominent GOP consultant I spoke to who asked not to be named to offer a candid assessment of Trump and congressional Republicans. "The question for Republicans is whether this is the straw that breaks the camel's back," said the source. "Forty percent approval is not the issue; an erratic, rudderless, leaderless White House is." ... But, consider the following five things Trump has done since coming into office: 1) Twice failed to enact a travel ban 2) Engaged in an extended argument over crowd size at his inauguration 3) Falsely accused then-President Barack Obama of wire-tapping Trump Tower during the election 4) Took 18 days to get rid of national security adviser MIchael Flynn after being informed Flynn was compromised by the Russians 5) Fired Comey, even as he was overseeing the Russia investigation. Any ONE of those are the sort of thing that would be a major slip-up in any other administration -- and might lead to defections from within the president's own party. All five of them -- plus the new revelations regarding classified information being shared with two top Russian officials -- is something close to an avalanche of political malpractice.

I think you have hit on one key point. Whether it's politics or White Sox/Cubs affiliations, everything has become MUCH more polarized since January. As Greg775 always points out, you're either with the 1%ers or you're not. Longtime White Sox fans know which side of the argument they're on with that particular debate. You can even extend it to the ownership groups of the two respective teams, or the baseball cap of choice for the previous president.

http://www.cbooo.cn/ Yeah, that whole scene felt like "been there, done that" for anyone who has ever watched the movie FIELD OF DREAMS. Except that was a lot more emotional for nearly every kid who has ever played catch with their father (particularly if he has passed away already). I think another reason the whole EGO flip flop was so jarring is because Russell played a (relatively) good guy in FAST 8, and that movie was still fresh in everyone's minds. As far as King Arthur goes, it does seem trying to make him into a Robin Hood/Occupy Wall Street type just doesn't work. I really like Charlie Hunnam, he was great in Sons of Anarchy and The Lost City of Z looks good as well. Pacific Rim was enjoyable, despite its flaws...but whether he becomes the next Gosling remains to be seen. ONE thing that's not debatable is the career downward arc for Guy Ritchie. He's nearing M. Night Shymalan territory, especially considering the huge budget he just blew through. Finally, a shocker here in China. Aamir Khan's Hindi female wrestling epic DANGAL is closing in on Guardians of the Galaxy 2. It's $83 million to $66.25 million, with Dangal closing the gap every day since the opening 12 days ago.

Trump's trust problem Senior administration officials have strained their credibility with the public with months of false, misleading or tortured statements. http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/15/t...-problem-238422 “Their credibility is completely shattered. They’ve engaged in serial lying to the American people on issues big and small — beginning with the crowd size photos. It’s unprecedented for an administration, from the top on down, to embrace a strategy of deception and lying,” said Steve Schmidt, a Republican consultant and former campaign manager for John McCain. “Even people who have built up reputations for integrity over a lifetime of public service, they risk squandering it in this administration,” Schmidt said. https://www.yahoo.com/news/ann-coulter-call...-015318554.html Erstwhile staunch Donald Trump booster Ann Coulter has called the president “grotesque” and disappointing as she appeared poised to bail on him even before The Washington Post reported Monday that he leaked classified information to the Russians. “Everyone who voted for him knew his personality was grotesque,” but it was the issues, the conservative commentator and author told The Daily Caller in an interview Sunday. Now, as far as the issues go, “boy, things don’t look good,” she said. “I’m not very happy with what has happened so far,” Coulter added. “I guess we have to try to push him to keep his promises. But ... if he doesn’t keep his promises I’m out.” “Where is the great negotiation?” she asked. “That budget the Republicans pushed through was like a practical joke.… Did we win anything?” She even called developments in the administration a “disaster so far.” Coulter is particularly disappointed about lack of progress on building a wall along the Mexican border and suggested people send bricks to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).

But what size are his hands? Too early...or too late? And now the mystery of whatever happened to Bud Norris has been resolved.

The Cubs' fans are too busy melting down over Arrieta and having the same record as the White Sox with a team that should be wiping out the division. I think it's just as likely fans are happy to finally have a competent manager, compared to any Cubs' "enthusiasm overflow." Cheaper tickets and/or special parking deals has to be a part of it, though. And there is something to be said for being able to see all the players in both leagues, from a city-wide fan standpoint. Plus the White Sox games are much more relaxing as far as "in and out" and dealing with all the issues of sell-out crowds at Wrigley. It's nice to have some space, room to breathe and not have to fight long lines for concessions or the restroom. Another plus is these White Sox are pretty "feisty," they're better (at least so far) than most gave them credit for, especially when you consider non-contributions from Anderson, Rodon, Frazier and Cabrera and just a pedestrian start to Q's season. Kind of fun to root for the underdog and scrappy minor leaguers who've never gotten an extended opportunity, guys like Leury Garcia, Davidson and Kahnle.

Clearly NOBODY freaked out about Benghazi, e-mails or the Clinton Foundation. Pretty much got a free pass. Oh, that was Obama, oops.

Leaving him in against Calhoun's at least defensible, despite the two walks in the inning. The tried and true axiom of always trying to get the starting pitcher the win (unless it's the heat of a pennant race or the playoffs). Plus Calhoun has really been struggling this season. What didn't make sense was leaving Pelfrey in to face Trout with nothing left. Then you're now burning two of your best relievers in a game you're likely to lose. Oh well. Not sure if we make it back to .500 for the rest of the season...not that it matters much.

I'm sure that guy was some tech geek with an algorithm making all of his picks for him...has anyone read anything about him? Or big fantasy baseball/roto/sabes (Gregism) guy?

One wonders if a new FBI Director (Republican) prosecuting Hillary Clinton over the e-mails would be enough to get some Republican senators to finally take notice? They have to realize that throughout history, anyone with disapproval numbers below 50% at this point in a presidential term has led to a minimum of a -36 representative shift at the midterms.

http://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/...-not-yet-a-star Schoenfield (middle of article) diagnoses Arrieta's issues. Wish this season would have come in 2018 after he'd signed an ill-advised extension. As it stands now, Epstein has been saved from having to make any kind of tough decision.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ May 15, 2017 -> 08:21 PM) Pelfrey 1, Trout 0 Harrelson would argue Pelfrey 7, Trout 3, Trout's still in the HoF, lol... Didn't realize Pujols was only 4 homers away from 600. Wouldn't count on him getting to 700. 660's going to be a stretch (Mays), but that contract almost forces him to hold on. Just looked it up and he's still under that 10 year deal for FOUR more years, 2018-2021. UGLY.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ May 15, 2017 -> 05:39 PM) Fantastic - the Sox don't need him in 2 of those years, and possibly 3, but they'll have him. And I suspect that will happen to a lot of the players who the Sox should be full-bore on moving. They'll still have them. Realistically, we're stuck with Frazier and Cabrera right now. Who else are you talking about that has legit value? Nate Jones? Abreu (who we all agreed was likely to stick around for awhile longer)? Saladino? Rodon? Anderson? Avi, Davidson, Leury and Yolmer Sanchez still have pretty limited trade value. That leaves Holland, MiGo, Swarzak and Kahnle if the right offer comes in, along with Robertson. Swarzak will be a FA, so he pretty much has to go. OOOPS, meant to reply to GREENSOX!!!

Pujols' career arc is fairly similar to Big Frank's. Went from the best hitter in the game to a shadow of his former self in the last third of his career.

Center cut 90 MPH fastball. Oh, well.

They really would have been better off dumping Cabrera in the offseason. As it stands, they're going to have to eat quite a bit of salary now. It's not like they were going to get much back, but wasting that money stings. Also wonder what, if any, offers were out there for Nate Jones.

Well, there's two ways of looking at his line-up. Being pleasantly surprised with Avi, Davidson, Leury or Yolmer (still no Tim Anderson)... Or disappointed with Cabrera (602), Frazier (618), Smith (SSS) and Saladino (581).

All the WALKS. Follow the Astros' high OBP and slugging philosophy, it seems to be working well for them at the moment (not to mention not pulling the trigger on a "put them over the top" trade as of yet). In that division, there's nobody really pushing Houston, either. Bregman is their 7th best hitter at the moment.

The only disappointing thing with Adolfo is we're not seeing the power numbers (yet). I know...age, age, age. So I suppose it's more encouraging he's at least holding his own and we have to cross our fingers the rest of the potential falls into place. He's not a speed-based player, so he's really got to hit 20-30 homers to be truly useful.

Well, now the defense is the President is the Commander in Chief and can declassify anything at any time he wants, so therefore can never technically or even "accidentally" share classified information without having this same baffling argument to later fall back on. Just like he can fire the Director of the FBI on a whim. Even though it's never happened in the history of the Republic, except during the Clinton Era when they basically argued William Sessions was breaking the law or right up against the edge of the line.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/15/politics/tru...tion/index.html Another day, another scandal. A former intelligence officer called the report -- and White House response "infuriating." "It sounds like White House is parsing words by saying 'didn't discuss sources or methods' as a weak cover your a**," the former officer said. "That's a technicality. If the information itself was specific enough, it implicitly discloses sources and methods." McMaster had previously told the Post that Trump and the Russian officials discussed "common threats." That's not the first time for Trump. And let's not forget the infamous Mar-a-Lago "posing with the nuclear football" incident in the middle of dinner. http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-econo...nterview-2017-5 The globalist, moderate wing of the White House doesn't stand a chance "Having spent that much time in the West Wing and doing this interview, I would say we came away with a different impression, which is that, fundamentally, Donald Trump is a nationalist — he's a kind of nationalist with a grievance. He thinks that the world has taken advantage of America for too long, it's time for America to be tougher and gruffer and more assertive and more selfish. "So if there are different voices — and there are — it's more a question of tactics. It's kind of, how do you cut that best deal? Do you bang your fist on the table, or do you offer concessions? So I don't think there's a kind of chance that a globalist, moderate (Kushner/Cohn/Powell) wing is somehow going to win the argument and change Donald Trump. He is who he is."

QUOTE (InTheDriversSeat @ May 15, 2017 -> 07:20 PM) I would say the increase in attendance can be attributed to 2 Hot promotions: Hawk Harrelson Alarm Clock and Hooded Sweatshirt giveaways. The Hoodie nite actually drew more fans than the Alarm Clock nite. . For a LONG time, one of the biggest drivers of Sox attendance was those Fireworks nights (usually Saturdays?) It seems that there's now a pretty compelling opportunity for lots of brands to get in with giveaway nights for MUCH cheaper rates than if they tried to do something with the Cubs/Blackhawks/Bulls/Bears, etc. We saw it with the loss of the primary alcoholic beverage sponsor as well. In some ways, it's a good thing for the Sox to have to scramble because they'll be well-positioned (in terms of having a diversification of lower-tier sponsor deals) when the big dogs try to come back in 2019/20/21. The main question for the Sox is how deeply they want to discount those promotional nights...because if they erode the going rates too much, it makes it that much harder to raise them when the team finally turns the corner. That said, if you really have a 4-5 year "solid contention" window for the Sox and not that erratic up and down performance from season to season, quite a few sponsors and season ticket holders will theoretically jump back on board.